CO129-445 - Public Offices - 1917 — Page 272

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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]

OPIUM.

CONFIDENTIAL.

REGE 14 SEP 17

268

[August 14.]

SECTION 1.

(158935])

No. 1.

Sir C. Greene to Mr. Balfour.-(Received August 14.)

(No. 444.) Sir,

Tokyo, July 9, 1917. WITH reference to your telegram No. 338 of the 3rd July, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith copy of a note which I have addressed to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs on the subject of export of morphia from United Kingdom to Japan.

I have, &c.

CONYNGHAM GREENE.

M. le Ministre,

Enclosure in No. 1.

Sir C. Greene to Viscount Motono.

Tokyo, July 9, 1917. WITH reference to my note No. 216 of the 11th June last, on the subject of the exportation of morphia from the United Kingdom to Japan, I have the honour to inform your Excellency that I am now in receipt of a telegram from His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs stating that it has been decided not to grant licences for the export of morphia from the United Kingdom to Japan, and to the Kwantung Peninsula unless the applications for such licences are supported by certificates granted by the proper authorities either in Japan or in the Kwantung leased territory, showing that the morphia is for actual consumption in Japan or in Dairen and vicinity and is to be used for medicinal purposes only..

It is not the wish of His Majesty's Government to bamper in any way the legitimate trade in morphia and his derivatives, or to put any difficulties in the way of the medical profession, but in view of the many complaints which have been received on this subject, His Majesty's Government have decided to take this step of refusing licences as above indicated, and they trust that the Imperial Japanese Government will appreciate the reasons which have compelled them to take this course, and that they can count on the support and co-operation of the Imperial Japanese Government with regard to this matter.

I avail, &c.

CONYNGHAM GREENE.

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